One of the three 2014 team champions was successful in its attempt to win back-to-back titles at the State Team Wrestling Tournament finals Saturday at the UW Field House.
Kaukauna won its second straight Division 1 title with a 41-21 victory over Stoughton. The Galloping Ghosts won at nine of the 14 weight classes, including pins at 152, 170, 220 and 285. It marks the third straight season Kaukauna has advanced to the championship match.
In Division 2, Freedom dethroned Ellsworth as champion with a 34-15 decision in the final over the Panthers. The Irish built a 20-0 lead by winning the first six bouts of the match. They won four of the remaining eight matches, including a pin at 182 to capture the crown.
In the semifinals wrestled earlier in the day, The Irish advanced with 40-27 win over Sparta, and Ellsworth advanced to the championship final after a 37-27 decision over Wisconsin Lutheran.
Spring Valley/Elmwood took early control of the Division 3 match with 2014 champion Coleman. Trailing 6-0 after the opening 285-pound bout, the Cardinals strung three straight pins together and added falls at 152 and 182 to clinch the match and cruise to the 40-27 victory. The Cardinals win the program's first title after runner-up finishes last season and in 2012.
Earlier Saturday, the Cardinals ousted Random Lake from title contention with its 37-22 conquest in the semifinals. Coleman reached the final for the fifth straight year and for the sixth time in the last seven years with a 45-34 win over Fennimore in its semifinal match.